Movie Review: Graduation Day (1981)

In 1981 the slasher sub-genre was starting to gain some steam. After having the formula solidified by Halloween in 1978 and popularized by Friday the 13th in 1980, the genre began to take off. All manner of horror films sought to exploit the lurid and exploitative nature of slasher film. Sequels started to pile up alongside such early entries as My Bloody Valentine, Hell Night, The Burning, and The Funhouse. Each of these movies employed some crazed killer paired with creative and gruesome death sequences. There was even a film made satirizing the style, Student Bodies, which bears a passing resemblance to the movie we are looking at today, Graduation Day.

Movie Review: Absurd

When you see a movie called Absurd, you should know that you are in for something, well, absurd. This Italian production was known by a number of different titles, but Absurd seems to fit the best. However, if that title doesn’t ring a bell, how about Horrible, Zombie 6, Monster Hunter, Grim Reaper 2, Anthropophagus 2, or, as the title on this print called it, Rosso Sangue (Blood Red)? I think there may be a few more variations as well, but I always go with Absurd. Of course, you could just call it “Someone Saw Halloween and Tried to make it Their Own.” it’s a mouthful, but that is what it amounts to.

Movie Review: Roar (1981)

There are movies that as you walk out of the theater, you cannot help but wonder just what it was that you just watched. Some movies are just so wild and crazy that it begs you to wonder just what they were thinking when they made it. What could possibly possess someone to make such a film? I have seen a number of films like this, and continue to think that every time I watch it (movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Cannibal Holocaust come to mind). The latest to evoke that reaction is one that I was not expecting to have that type of reaction.

Movie Review: Don't Go in the Woods

Before really getting into this, I think we should thank Vinegar Syndrome for unearthing, restoring, and releasing some long forgotten films. Without them, I do not think we would ever be talking about a screening, much less a Blu-ray release, of a movie like Don't Go in the Woods. It is not the sort of film that a widespread mainstream audience is going to be clamoring for, but it has a certain audience, an audience that may not be aware of just how much they need this movie. I have to be honest, I did not think that I needed this movie until I saw it projected on the big screen. I need this movie in my life.

Movie Review: Bloody Birthday

In the early days of slasher cinema, there was something of a free for all. I do not say this from any real knowledge aside from just seeing all the sorts of movies they were putting out in those days as the style was beginning to find its footing in the world. We had the early classics that set the formula, like Black Christmas and especially Halloween. We had Friday the 13th that brought it all to the masses. Then there was everything else. That brings us to today's film which seems to have been made by those who were paying close attention to the direction horror was taking. Bloody Birthday may not be a great movie, but it certainly is worth paying some attention to.

Movie Review: The Last Shark (1981)

Jaws has had a log lasting effect on the world of movies. It is generally seen as the first film of the blockbuster era. The movie scared people away from the beach and has lasted to this day losing none of its effectiveness. With that being the case, there have been scores of clones, copycats, and cheap imitations over the years. This movie may be the most famous, or at least notable of the bunch. The movie is called The Last Shark, or The Great White, or The Last Jaws, or Return of Jaws, or Jaws 3, or (originally) L'ultimo Squalo. Yes, it has had quite a few titles over the years.

Movie Review: Ms. 45

Over recent years, I have seen my appreciation, enjoyment, and love for old school horror, cult, and exploitation films grow by leaps and bounds. However, for as much enjoyment as I get from them, there is still the big question of what ones to look for and where to find them. Fortunately, my taste shift has coincided with becoming friends with a few folks whose knowledge of these films is encyclopedic and they have helped guide me, told me names, titles, all manner of information. One of those titles that came up some time back is Ms. 45, a personal favorite of one of my friends. It is now one more I can check off the list and I highly recommend that you seek it out as well.

Movie Review: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

In 1980, Paramount Pictures bought the distribution rights to a little horror movie called Friday the 13th. It was shot on the cheap but benefited from creative minds like director Sean S. Cunningham, writer Victor Miller, composer Harry Manfredini, and special effects wizard Tom Savini. Paramount's marketing campaign paired with strong word of mouth, and the fact it was actually a good horror, saw it do very well at the box office. It did so well, in fact, that a sequel got put on the fast track. No mind was paid to the fact nearly everybody, killer included, was dead at the conclusion of the movie.

Movie Review: Burial Ground - The Nights of Terror

Have I ever told you that there is nothing quite like Italian horror from the 1970s and 1980s? Yeah, I know. I probably sound like a broken record. Still, it nears repeating if it gets the word out about these uniquely exceptional films. They stand apart, instantly recognizable, taking outside inspiration and filtering it through their singular subconscious. The latest one to cross my hollow eye sockets is Andrea Bianchi's Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror. It may not be the best example of the genre, but it is one that is certainly worthy of your time.

Movie Review: Nightmare City

The more movies I watch, the more I realize I have left to see. It is something that I always know, it is always there, gnawing at the back of my cranium. The good thin about it is that is what leads me to the next movie, and the next and, the one after that. The other day I was looking for Shocking Dark and ended up with Hell of the Living Dead. Hat made me think about another movie I needed to watch, the Umberto Lenzi's classic, Nightmare City.

The CritCast watches Just Before Dawn

Recently I was able to attend a 35mm screening of Just Before Dawn with director Jeff Lieberman in attendance. It was a great experience. It was the first time I ever saw this film and seeing it on the big screen as originally intended was a particular treat. This movie may be lumped in with other slashers of the era, it is more than that. Just watch, while the set up seems awfully familiar, the execution is quite different. This is a good film that builds atmosphere and tries to avoid typical horror movie cliches. Watch as I ramble about my experience.

Movie Review: 984 - Prisoner of the Future

It has been a few movies since I hit the minor peak of the challenge with Hands of Steel a few days ago. Since then it has been a steady descent downward. Hopefully with this last film we have hot rock bottom and can begin to steady back off. I know that is rather unlikely with so many movies left on this set. I was sort of aware of the fact hat I would come across movies that would either leave me with little to say or a desire to not write about them. 984: Prisoner of the Future is one of those movies.

Zombie Coma: Zombie Lake and Oasis of the Zombies

There are bad movies and there are bad movies. There are movies that test your dedication to cinema. Let me tell you, there is nothing quite like a terrible piece of Eurotrash cinema to tempt you with tearing up your movie lover card. The double bill I watched the other day, wow. Seriously, if you have ever had a problem getting to sleep, these will put them to rest. The pairing would test even the most hardened bad cinema lover. At the same time, I do not regret taking the bullet. Hell,I might even recommend you try to take the same trip.